Decoding Ford Locks

Tolerance on some Ford, Lincoln and Mercury locks is relatively loose on the Huf-made door and trunk wafer locks and very tight on the Huf-made ignition wafer lock, for example the 2009 Ford Fusion locks. In fact, you can decode these door or trunk locks one wafer depth higher in each space and the key will operate the locks. However, a decoded key will not operate the ignition lock with even if there is only one depth higher or lower in only one space. Note: Attempting to decode the wafers in the ignition lock is difficult to read, due to the roller in the front of the keyway.

To complicate matters, the spring perch on the wafers one, two and three depths are in the same position. However, they are slightly lower than the spring perch position on wafer four and five depths. The difference between wafer depth three and four becomes a problem when trying to decode the wafers. Because of the spring perch being lower, it makes the window ledger for the active side of the key to be approximately half the distance of two adjacent depth wafers having the same spring perch.

To solve this problem, pick the door or trunk lock first then decode the wafers.

Major Mfg Oversized Repair Screw Assortment

Major Manufacturing has introduced its Oversize Repair Screw Assortment, part number LSA-3, containing 180 machine and wood screws of different sizes. These screws have oversized threads with an undersized head. For example, the LS-28 #10 Phillips Flat Head screw has 12-24 threads. This combination enables these screws to be retrofit into stripped holes. The #8 head machine screws have 10-32 threads and the #12 has 14-24 threads. The wood screws have the larger thread size. The screws have different finishes; nickel plate, black oxide (zinc) and yellow zinc.

Anti-Tampering Plates

As an attempt to stop the unauthorized from gaining access into a marina bathrooms and laundry rooms, custom anti-tampering plates were installed to close the opening on inswing doors in order to prevent “loiding” (retracting) the latchbolt. The plates appear to be aluminum.

Curtis Key Machines Supplies

Hawley Lock Supply stocks parts for Curtis Key-Matic 2000 and 3000 key duplicating machines and Curtis #14 and #15 hand-held code cutters. The Key-Matic parts include key guide stops, springs and key guides as well as cutters and wire wheels. The #14 and #15 parts include punch and anvil kits, tool parts, cam and carriage sets as well as cams and carriages. For those who are interested, new #15 code cutters are available.

For more information, contact Hawley Lock Supply at 800-398-2458 or online at www.hawleylocksupply.com.

Lishi Lock Vise

The Lishi Lock Vise provides a very secure mount for servicing automotive locks. The vise is thin enough to replicate how an automotive lock is held in the door, tailgate or trunk. The opening in the vise is somewhat diamond shaped, making it easier to fit the rounded contour shape of the lock housing in just about any position.

For more information contact your local locksmith wholesaler or Lishi Tools at Web Site: www.lishitools.com

Transit Connect Transponder-Equipped?

The 2010 and 2011 Transit Connect is not equipped with the transponder-based engine immobilizer system for most models. However, it appears that the XLT model is transponder-equipped. You know, that is the work truck with the leather seats, etc.

Door Closer Sizes

Chart 1, Door Closer Sizes, is a simplification of several door and surface mount door closer manufacturers charts to provide a better understanding of one through six sized door closers. This selection chart provides ranges for door width and maximum weight. The numbers are averages. Always refer to the door closer manufacturer’s specifications when selecting a sized door closer.

Expensive Door Stop

On occasions, I have the opportunity to spend some time with locksmiths, giving me ideas and the opportunity to learn. Not too long ago, while out on an installation, a locksmith used his 18 volt electric screw gun as a door stop while installing access control. It kept the door in place.

Decoding a Colorado/Canyon

General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon for the 2004 model year to replace the S-10 and Sonoma. These mid-sized pickups are being manufactured for the 2012 model year. They use the 70,000 to 75,928 code series having a ten cut lock mechanism with four depths of cut.

The aftermarket key blanks are:

HATA B108OE

Ilco EZ B110

Jet B108

JMA GM-38

STRATTEC 692365

The tumbler arrangement is:

Ignition: 1 through 10

Door: 3 through 10

Tailgate: 5 through 10

To originate a key. remove the screws securing the tailgate lock. Remove the tailgate lock. Read the six depths of the wafers through the weep hole. Cut the six depths into each side of the key blank.

If possible, use a computer program that helps you fill in the unknown depths. Using a computer will limit the number of key blanks to two. If no computer program is available, remember that the difference between two adjacent cuts is no greater than two, a 1 and a 3, a 2 and a 4, etc. Once the key operates the door lock, progress the final two cuts for the ignition lock.

Car-Opening Techniques: 2005-11 Chevrolet Cobalt

This month we will offer recommended car-opening techniques for the 2005-11 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan. The Cobalt is equipped with vertical lock control linkage on the front doors and horizontal lock control linkage on the rear doors. The linkage within the door cavity is not protected.

Depending upon the car-opening tool manufacturer, they may recommend using either the front passenger door or the rear passenger door in order to gain access.

Warning: Use extreme care as the slightest scrape along the bottom edge of the glass may result in the window glass breaking.

The following opening methods can be used to unlock the 2005-11 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan.

Use the High Tech Tools Horizontal Linkage Tool 23 to unlock the rear passenger door locking mechanism. Separate the glass from the weather strip by positioning a wedge forward of the outside door handle assembly. Insert the Horizontal Linkage Tool with the working end pointing towards the front. Lower the tool and rotate until the tool contacts the two horizontal linkage rods. Position the 23 Tool just above the lower rod and manipulate the tool until the rod is in the top. Bind the car-opening tool and slide the horizontal linkage rod rearward to unlock the locking mechanism.

Use the Pro-Lok AO38 “Honda Tool” and an inflatable wedge to unlock the rear passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the inflatable wedge eight inches from the front edge of the rear passenger door split window divider. Inflate the wedge according to manufacturer’s instructions. Insert an inspection light seven inches from the front edge of the split window divider. Identify the location of the horizontal linkage rod at eight inches below the bottom of the window frame. Insert the small end of the AO38 car-opening tool into the door six inches from the front edge of the split window divider with the tip facing rearward. Lower both tools nine inches into the door cavity. Rotate the tool 45 degrees clockwise and lift the tool one inch to position the tool directly under the linkage rod. Twist the tool counterclockwise to bind the linkage rod. Slide the rod rearward to unlocking the locking mechanism.

Use the Slide Lock Inverted Z-Tool® car-opening tool and a wedge to unlock the rear passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge just forward of the outside door handle assembly. Slide the small end of the Inverted Z-Tool into the door cavity with the tip facing the front of the vehicle. Lower the tool until the tip is beneath the bottom of the window glass. Rotate the tool a quarter-turn counterclockwise so the hook tip is under the horizontal linkage rod. Lift up on the tool to capture the linkage rod. In one motion, twist the car-opening tool and leverage the linkage rod towards the rear of the vehicle in order to unlock the locking mechanism.

Use the Tech-Train Productions TT-1017 car-opening tool to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert a wedge to the rear of the inside door handle. If desired, use a light and identify the vertical linkage rod location. Carefully insert the TT-1017 tool between the wedge and the rear of the door with the tip towards the rear of the vehicle. Lower the tool about six inches before rotating the tool clockwise until the tip of the tool comes in contact with the vertical linkage rod. The button will move when contacted. Capture the linkage rod, bind and lift to unlock the door locking mechanism.

The direction to rotate the 2005-11 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan driver’s door lock plug to the unlocked position is clockwise.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following manufacturers.